I Knew a Lady by Thomas Hardy — Read

(CLUB SONG)

I KNEW a lady when the days / Grew long, and evenings goldened; / But I was not emboldened / By her prompt eyes and winning ways.

And when old Winter nipt the haws, / "Another's wife I'll be, / And then you'll care for me," / She said, "and think how sweet I was!"

And soon she shone as another's wife: / As such I often met her, / And sighed, "How I regret her! / My folly cuts me like a knife!"

And then, to-day, her husband came, / And moaned, "Why did you flout her? / Well could I do without her! / For both our burdens you are to blame! "